Ohio lawmakers push bill for body-camera use

February 17, 2016 at 12:04a.m.

COLUMBUS

Police departments that equip officers with body cameras would be required to develop written policies on their use and the release of recordings, under legislation being considered in the Ohio House.

House Bill 407 would not require the use of body cameras, a move some groups have pursued in light of police shootings in Cleveland and Cincinnati and elsewhere.

Primary co-sponsoring Reps. Kevin Boyce, D-Columbus, and Cheryl Grossman, R-Grove City, called the proposed law changes a first step in addressing body-camera issues.

“These standards will help protect our officers, citizens and the integrity of the criminal justice system,” Boyce told the House’s Local Government Committee, where the bill had its first hearing Tuesday.

Among other provisions, the legislation would require written policies for departments that use body cameras, outlining which officers are to wear the devices and which activities would be recorded.

The policies would have to include procedures for releasing footage to the public, timetables for retaining the electronic files, and sanctions for officers who fail to comply with written requirements.

And copies of written policies would have to be provided to the public, upon request.

HB 407 would cover the Ohio State Highway Patrol, city or township police departments, county sheriff’s offices and university law enforcement.

“Technology continues to develop,” Boyce said. “What we’re seeing is cities every day [at] least implementing pilot programs or exploring what their options may be as it relates to the use of body cameras. This bill will help create the framework to which, when they do implement body cameras, that they are able to operate from standard operating procedures.”

Boyce voiced support for requiring body-camera use by law enforcement. He cited statistics from Cleveland officials showing a 40 percent decrease in citizen complaints since that department began using body cameras.

“I’d be in favor of mandatory body cameras,” he said after the hearing. “With standards in place, it really allows for law enforcement agencies to really think through how they would utilize them. I think it’s a great starting place for a conversation around mandating.”

A couple of members of the Local Government Committee voiced concerns about the bill, however.

Rep. Terry Boose, R-Norwalk, questioned why the legislation was needed, given that comparable standards have not been implemented for dashboard cameras and other recording devices used by officers.

And Rep. Alicia Reece, D-Cincinnati, questioned why uniform rules for body-camera use weren’t included.